AT&T Video (formerly Cingular Video)

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Nicole Lee
• Edited by:
  Kent German
• Reviewed on: 04/19/2006

Editor's note: Since we reviewed this service its name has been changed to AT&T Video.

After CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon got a head start with high-speed EV-DO content services such as Sprint's Power Vision and Verizon's V Cast network, respectively, Cingular finally got on board last month with its own high-speed UMTS 3G service. Along with speeding up Cingular's existing Media Net Internet access, UMTS also led to the launch of Cingular Video, the network's brand-new, on-demand video-streaming service. Much like its CDMA predecessors, Cingular Video offers a variety of short video clips from different news and entertainment sources. In order to get Cingular Video, you need to have a video- and 3G-ready phone, plus you'll want Cingular's Unlimited Media Net package at $19.99 a month for unlimited data usage. The video service itself is included in the package, though if you want premium content such as HBO Mobile, you'll have to fork out additional fees.

Programming and features
Cingular Video has 10 basic-programming providers included in the unlimited Media Net plan: NBC Mobile, CNN, Fox Mobile, Fox News, ESPN, Fox Sports, Cartoon Network Mobile, Disney Mobile, iFilm, and the Weather Channel. Content is then divided into different sections: TV to Go, News and Weather, Sports, and Entertainment. The TV to Go section features clips from popular TV programs such as Desperate Housewives and The Tonight Show. With News and Weather, you get a choice of video from NBC, CNN, Fox, and the Weather Channel. In Sports, there are the NCAA Championship highlights, ESPN news, Fox Sports news, Nascar.com To Go, Richard Childress Racing, the Speed Channel, and Fuel TV. As for Entertainment, the options are Access Hollywood, Music, TV Guide Channel, Adult Swim (which is billed as Cartoon Network's programming for adults), HBO Mobile Preview (if subscribed), and Movies. The Movies category doesn't actually have full movies listed, however; you'll get only movie trailers, viral videos, and movie reviews.

There are three premium services available--HBO Mobile, HBO Family Mobile, and Music Choice--if you're willing to pay an additional fee (see below). Cingular has an exclusive partnership with HBO, which enables you to see short previews and video clips of popular HBO shows such as The Sopranos and Entourage. You'll also get short stand-up performances from HBO Comedy, as well as HBO Boxing and Real Sports commentary from HBO Sports. As mentioned, there's also HBO Family Mobile for the younger audience, which includes full-length episodes of select children's programming. Finally, there's Music Choice, which you can use to stream music videos.

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